Overview of Tracheal Surgery

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is one of fewer than five hospitals in the nation with the expertise to care for children with complex tracheal disorders. Operations on the trachea are complicated and take a well-coordinated surgical team.

Children's Hospital's team includes an ear, nose and throat surgeon experienced in the upper trachea, a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in the lower trachea and lungs, and a pediatric anesthesiologist who is able to keep the patient breathing while the trachea is being repaired. 

Conditions requiring tracheal surgery are rare, but include:

• Tracheal stenosis
• Tracheal malasia
• Tracheal/Bronchial stenosis
• Trachea/Bronchial malasia
• Pulmonary artery sling
• Complete tracheal rings
• Tracheal fistula
• Tumor of the airway or chest

In addition to diagnosis and treatment, our Tracheal Program offers:

• A Family Accommodations Program to help make travel arrangements and coordinate appointments for families traveling to our center from a long distance.
• A highly specialized Children's Transport Team available 24 hours a day to stabilize and transport seriously sick and injured infants and children to our center. Nearly 1,500 transports are provided each year. 
• Specialists trained at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in England, currently the largest center in the world for tracheal surgeries.
• A cardiac intensive care unit where children receive the highest level of care possible by pediatric-trained nurses and physicians.
• The support of our world-class Herma Heart Center, one of the leaders in cardiothoracic surgery in the country.
• Close follow-up in our Airway, Digestive and Voice Center where patients receive regular bronchoscopies, bronchograms, exercise testing and neurodevelopmental checks to diagnose and treat any potential problems as quickly as possible.
• Two nurses dedicated to the care of tracheostomy patients from surgery through long-term follow-up. A discharge coordinator also helps arrange for home nursing care for patients.
• Genetic research to determine the root cause of these problems, as well as quality of life studies to ensure children develop to their fullest potential.
• A Palliative Care Program to support families during treatment as well if treatment is not chosen.